veronika_This is my entry to @nrdcbiogems' photo contest, where they would like people to describe why nature or wildlife is important to them. This kind of ended up lengthy, but I have so many reasons why I love nature and it's hard to pick the best ones! I'm addressing both nature and wildlife as one, as they are one thing in my mind.
As you may be able to tell from my gallery, I am a huge nature fan. I always have been. Since I was a young child, I could easily waste hours exploring forests. I would usually go with my uncle, who is a very smart man, and he would tell me all about the animals, plants and bugs we came across, and it fascinated me. Ever since I can remember, I knew nature was special.

As I grow older, I realize more reasons why it is so special every time I head into the wilderness. The most obvious reason is that it is an absolute necessity for us to survive. We need wild spaces, and we need to protect and respect them in order for our species to survive because nature provides the bare necessities for all life on earth. How much more important than that can it get?

Well, it is also healing in many magical ways, if you take the time to appreciate it. I will keep it simple by saying that I truly believe it can help almost any ailment, from depression to chronic pain. I can say it has helped immensely with my depression and chronic pain, anyways. Whenever I get sad, all it takes is a long stroll through quiet trails and I'll cheer up. If I'm sore, I head to the forest and within minutes I'm so immersed by the wildlife that I forget about the pain.

Nature truly is the greatest thing that we have on this planet, and I hope someday that everyone is able to experience the passion and respect that I have towards the wild. I really think it would make the world a better place. ️🌎 #ilovenrdc29min

ed_cooper_photographyHere we see the viewpoint and rider platform at the Athabasca tongue of the Columbia Icefield, in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Most of The people on it are waiting for their turn to ride the snow machines on the glacier. This viewpoints has changed considerably in the intervening years (now 2015), and is no longer accessible by auto. Image taken July 30th 1971, in 4x5 film format.
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PHOTO TIP: This view point is only accessible now by either hiking up to it from the road gate below, or paying for tickets to ride on the glacier, which loads at this point (another coach will take you to this loading point.)
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Another classic Ed Cooper Photo . I specialize in nature images that are unedited. All rights reserved. Contact info and link for economy priced prints on bio. Many thousands more photos from the last six decades coming.
______________________________________️ For a chance at an 8 hour feature here on my IG, follow me and hashtag: ed_cooper (see my bio) Only occasional features.
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"Going to the mountains is going home" - John Muir. ______________________________________
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